Jeremy Clarkson earned more than £2m in one year from the company set up to maximise profits from the global exploitation of Top Gear.

Accounts for Bedder 6, created by Clarkson and Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman, reported a 68% increase in pre-tax profits to £15.2m. Clarkson, who reportedly earns about £1m for presenting Top Gear, owns 30% of the firm and was paid £2.14m, according to accounts filed at Companies House.

A spokesman for BBC Worldwide, who pointed out that profits made by Clarkson do not come out of the BBC licence fee, said that he represented "excellent value".